JYOTIRLINGAM
1. Bhimashankar Temple (Pune)
Bhimashankar Temple is one of the twelve “Jyotirlingas” located near Pune, Maharashtra in the ghat region of Sahyadri mountains. It is the source of river “Bhima”. Main deity of this temple is “Lingam” representing the beginningless and endlessness “Stambha pillar” which symbolizes the infinite nature of “Lord shiva”. Peeping through the white clouds and far away from the urban life, it can be termed as “Pilgrims Paradise”. This temple is a composite of old and new structure in the “Nagara” style of temple architecture. The excellency of the skills achieved by ancient “Vishwakarma sculptures” are shown by this temple. A unique bell can be seen in front of the temple. This big bell was built by Nana Phadanavis is a Hemadpanthi structure is was built by Nana Phadanavis is a Hemadpanthi structure is Pilgrims also visit Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, origin of river Bhima, Nag Phani etc.
2. Somnath Temple (Gujrat)
The Somnath temple (“Deo Patan”), known as the first “Jyotirlingam” of “Lord Shiva”. It is located The Somnath temple (“Deo Patan”), known as the first “Jyotirlingam” of “Lord Shiva”. It is located of Gujarat. Present Somnath temple was reconstructed in Chalukya style of Hindu architecture under the order of India’s home minister Vallabhbhai Patel.“Somnath” (Lord of the “Soma”), is an epithet of “Lord Shiva”. This temple is known as the “Shrine eternal”. Here Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared as a fiery column of light. The Shikhara of this temple is 15m in height and has an 8.2 m tall flag pole at the top. The site of Somnath is a “Triveni Sangam” (Kapila, Hiranand Sarasvati). The Moon God, “Soma” is believed to have lost his luster due to a curse and bathed in the Sarasvati river lost his luster due to a curse and bathed in the Sarasvati river at this site to regain it, resulted in the waxing and waning of the moon. From this location “Somnath” or “Someshwar” name has been derived.
3. Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh)
Sri Bharamaramba Mallikarjuna temple (“Srisailam temple”) located in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh dedicated to the Hindu deities “Lord Shiva” and “Parvati”.This temple is significant because of having both “Shivam” & “Shaktam”, it is considered as one of the twelve “Jyotirlingas” and one of the important “Shakti Peeth”. According to Hinduism, younger son of “Lord Shiva”, “Kumar Kartikeya” came to the Kronch hill from Kailash after getting angry. Then “Lord Shiva” and “Mata Parvati” came and stayed with the name of Malika & Arjun. From then this is known as “Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga”. The staying place of them is known as “Srisailam”. Here Maha Shivratri is the main festival which is celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. Temple complex covers 2 hectares. The four-gateway tower is known as “Gopurams”. There is a “Sahasra Linga” (commissioned by Ram) and 5 other “Lingams” (commissioned by Pandavas). This is classified as one of the “Paadal Petra Sthalam”. Krishna river is known here as “Patal Ganga”.
4. Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve “Jyotirlingam”, most sacred adobes of “Lord Shiva”. It is situated in the ancient city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh on the side of holy river KShipra. Here “Lord Shiva” is believed to be as Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (shakti) from within itself as against the other images. “Lingam” is ritually established and invested with Mantra Shakti.
It is known as a Shakti Peeth because “upper lip” of “Devi Sati” has fallen here. Idol of Mahakaleshwar is known as “Dakshinamukhi”. Unlike other Jyotirlingas this is a unique feature, upheld by the “Tantric Shivnetra” Tradition.
“Lord Shiva”, the presiding deity of time, in all his splendor reigns eternally in the city of Ujjain. Even in the midst of the busy routine, “Mahakal” dominates the life of the city and its people and provides an unbreakable link with ancient Hindu tradition.
On “Maha Shivratri”, a huge fair is held near the temple and worship goes on whole night. On last Monday of holy period of “Shraavana” , there is a procession of “God Mahakal” in his palanquin called “Shahi Savaari” to the river KShipra.
5. Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
Omkareshwar temple located on a island called “Shivapuri” in the Narmada river at Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to “Lord Shiva”. The island is in the shape of “Devanagari Om” symbol.
On the south bank of Narmada river there are two temples of “Lord Shiva”, one is “Omkareshwar” (Lord of Omkara) and another is “Amleshwar” (“Immortal Lord”). It is considered as one of the “Jyotirlingam”. Two shrines of “Parvati” & “Ganapati” found in this temple.
According to Hinduism, “Vindya”, the deity controlling “Vindhyachal mountain”, created a sacred geometrical diagram and a “Lingam” made of sand and clay. As because of the mud mound appeared in the form of “Om” so the name of this Island became “Omkareshwar”.
The is a cave where “Adi Shankara” met with his Guru “Govindapada”, so it is known as “Adi Shankara’s cave” which is found just below the temple.
6. Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
Kedarnath temple located in the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river in Uttarakhand. This is considered as the highest “Jyotirlingam” dedicated to “Lord Shiva” initially installed by “Pandavas”. It is one of the “Paadal Petra Sthalam” expounded to “Tevaram”. It is one of the major sites in India’s “Chhota Char Dham”.
Only between the months of April (Akshaya Tritiya) to November (Kartik Purnima) this temple opens to the general public due to the extreme adverse condition. The “Vigraha” from the Kedarnath temple is carried down to “Ukhimath” and worshiped for six months in winters.
This temple has to be reached by a 22 km uphill trek from “Gaurikund” as it is not accessible by road (11755 ft). Here pony and manchan service is available to reach to the temple. “Kedarnath” means “The Lord of the Field”.
According to Hinduism, “Lord Shiva” agreed to live here on the request of “Nara-Narayana”. “Adi Shankaracharya” believed to have “Mahasamadhi” at Kedarnath.
The presiding deity of “Lingam” (3.6m high and 3.6 m circumference) is irregular in shape. The first hall in kedarnath consist of the statues of five Pandavas, Krishna, Nandi. During 2013 flash floods, the temple did not suffer any damage where temple surroundings were heavily affected.
7. Vaidya Nath Jyotirlinga
Baidyanath Temple, also known as “Baba Baidyanath Dham”, is one of the twelve “Jyotirlingas”. It is the most sacred adobes of “Lord Shiva”, located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. This Dham consists of a main temple of Jyotirlinga and 21 other temples.
According to the Hinduism, Ravana worshiped lord shiva at this place and offered his 10 heads one by one. Then “lord shiva” came as a “Vaidya” to cure him, so this is known as “Baidyanath Dham”. This place is located at Prajjalika-Nidhanam “Chitabhoomi”, where “lord shiva” worshiped as “Smashan vasin”.
Here Devotees can get satisfaction by offering Avishek’s themselves on Jyotirlinga.
It is also known as the “Hardapeeth” where “Heart” of “Dakshayani” (Goddess Sati) fell.
It is very famous for the Shraavana mela (July-August) and “Babadham Yatra”. Every year 8 to 10 million devotees visit this shrine at this time and offer holy Ganges water collected from sultan Ganj to the deity. They walk on barefoot about 108 km to the temple carrying the water in “Kavadi”. The pilgrims are called as “Dak bam” and they do not stop even once within their journey to the temple.
8. Tryambakeshwar Temple (Nasik, Maharashtra)
Tryambakeshwar Temple is one of the Twelve “Jyotirlingam”, located in Nasik, Maharashtra. In the temple premises there is a “Kusavarta Kund” (Sacred Kund) which is the origin of sacred Godavari river. This temple was built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb).
This temple is located between three hills (Brahmagiri, Nilgiri, Kalagiri). The unique feature of this “Lingam” is three faces of “Lord Brahma”, “Lord Vishnu” and “Lord Rudra”. The Lingam has started to erode because of using excessive water which symbolizes eroding nature of human society.
A jeweled crown is placed over the Gold mask of “Tridev”. This is said to be of the age of the Pandavas and consists of Diamonds (world famous Nasak Diamond looted by British), Emeralds and many precious stones. This is displayed every Monday from 4-5pm.
This temple is famous for its religious rituals like “Narayan Nagbali” (which is only performed in this temple for 3 days), “Kalsarpa Shanti”, “Tripindi vidhi”. The tank of this temple is known as “Amritavarshini”. Three other bodies of water also present here namely, “Bilvateertha”, “Viswananteertha”, “Mukundateertha”. There are also several monasteries and “Samadhis” of saints.
9.Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
Kashi Vishwanath temple located in Varanasi; Uttar Pradesh is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to “Lord Shiva”. It is considered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingam. Here the presiding deity is known as “Shiva Vishwanath” or “Vishweswar” (Lord of the universe).
Varanasi is also known as Kashi. According to Hinduism this temple has long been referred as the central part of worshiping “Lord Shiva”. This temple was rebuilt by queen Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1780. Here “Kashi Naresh” (king of Kashi) is the chief officiating priest during the “Maha Shivratri”.
Here “Phalguna Shukla Ekadashi” is celebrated as “Rangabhari Ekadashi”. During this time temple complex is echoed by Dozens of Damroos and this tradition is celebrated from 200 years. Baba’s Tilak and Shivratri Marriage is also performed here.
The temple complex has many smaller shrines in “Vishwanatha Galli”. The main “Lingam” (60 cm tall and 90 cm in circumference) is a dark brown colored stone which is in silver alter. Main temple is quadrangle. A small well is found in the temple known as “Gyan Vapi”. The temple has 15.5 m high gold spire and gold dome.
10. Grishneshwar (Ellora)
Grishneshwar temple located in Ellora. It is considered as the last Jyotirlingam dedicated to “Lord Shiva”. It is also known as “Ghrneshwar” (Lord of Compassion) or “Dhushmeshwar temple”. Under the sponsorship of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar this temple was rebuilt in 18th century.
Anybody can enter to the temple and into the temple chambers but to go inside of the “Garbha Griha” of the temple local Hindu tradition demands that men must go bare chested.
This temple is an illustration of south Indian style of temple architecture. This is the smallest Jyotirlinga temple (240*185 ft). Here Dash avatars of “Lord Vishnu” are carved in red stone. Here is a court hall which is built on 24 pillars and a structure of Nandi. These pillars contain carvings summarizing various legends and mythogies of Shiva. Here the “Lingam” faces Eastward.
